C L A S S  S C H E D U L E
 

		Reading	Assignment
29Aug	Introduction and Organization
31Aug	Origin of Opera	Grout:	Skim 1-45
5Sep	Peri: Euridice		Read 49-66
7Sep	Monteverdi: L’Orfeo	Kerman:	Skim 1-17
			Read 18-29
12Sep	Development of Baroque Opera in Italy	Grout:	Skim 67-113
14Sep	Handel: Serse		Read 189-201
19Sep	The Reform Movement	Grout:	Read 208-233
21Sep	Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice		Skim 245-250
			Read 258-281
		Kerman:	Read 29-38
			Skim 39-57
26Sep	Mozart and the Opera Buffa	Grout:	Skim 282-316
28Sep	Mozart: Così fan tutte		Read 317-344
		Kerman:	Skim 58-79
			Read 80-108
3Oct	Early Romantic Opera: Italy	Grout:	Skim 402-405
10Oct	Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia		Read: 405-409
			Skim: 409-419
5Oct	(Fall Break)
12Oct	Early Romantic Opera: Germany	Grout:	Skim 434-444
17Oct	Weber: Der Freischütz		Read 444-450
			Skim 450-453
19Oct	Late Romantic Opera: Italy	Grout:	Read 419-433
24Oct	Verdi: Otello	Kerman:	Read 109-139
26Oct	Late Romantic Opera: Germany	Grout:	Read 454-491
31Oct	Wagner: Tristan und Isolde	Kerman:	Read 158-77
2Nov	(AMS Meeting—No Class!)
7Nov	PAPER 1 DUE
7Nov	Late Romantic Opera: France	Grout:	Read 597-606
9Nov	Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande	Kerman:	Read 140-157
14Nov	20th-Century Alternatives (I)	Grout:	Read 645-652
16Nov	Berg: Wozzeck	Kerman:	Read 178-190
21Nov	20th-Century Alternatives (II)	Grout:	Read 669-670
28Nov	Stravinsky: The Rake’s Progress	Kerman:	Read 190-202
23Nov	(Thanksgiving Holiday)
30Nov	20th-Century Alternatives (III)	Grout:	Read 708-714
5Dec	Britten: Turn of the Screw	Kerman:	Skim 203-228
7Dec	20th-Century Alternatives (IV)	Grout:	Skim 720-728
12Dec	Adams: Nixon in China
14Dec	Review and Prospects for the Future

PAPER 2 DUE (during Final Exam period)—Monday, 18 December, 1:30-4:00pm

Instructor:       Dr. Ellsworth
                        Office: N-147
                        Office Phone: (49)2-8219
                        Home Phone (emergency): 442-6889
                        E-Mail: ellswort@spot.colorado.edu

Texts:
            The Grout text is a standard historical and reference work that provides general
            background on periods, composers, and styles, with discussion of some specific
            works. It also provides the historical continuity that the selective nature of classroom
            material for this course cannot. The Kerman book is a collection of critical essays
            on selected operas that can give the student ideas of how to progress with a similar
            approach in his own work. Accordingly, when feasible, the operas chosen for study
            are those discussed by Kerman; since Kerman is even more selective in his material,
            however, this has not always been possible. The student is not expected necessarily
            to accept the views of the author or agree with them at all times; rather, the purpose
            of the book is to stimulate the student to think critically about operas, from the con-
            text both of the musical and dramatic viability of individual works.

Student Presentations:
            Each student will work on two operas in the above schedule (with the exception of
            the Peri and Monteverdi works, which will be discussed by the instructor) and pre-
            pare class presentations of material from those operas under guidance of the instruc-
            tor. Two or more students may be working on different parts of the same opera.
            Class discussion will follow the presentations, so it is important that all class mem-
            bers become familiar with all the operas. One opera will be chosen from the first
            part of the semester (through Verdi) and one from the second part (Wagner on).
            The primary approach should be a critical examination of the musical and dramatic
            value of the work; historical background and analysis (stylistic or formal) are sec-
            ondary considerations that may be included but should support the primary objec-
            tive. The presentation should include listening to selected passages that illustrate
            main points.

Papers:
            Following the presentations, each student will develop the material into formal pa-
            pers, using proper documentation. The first paper will be due on 7November, the
            second at the scheduled final examination period on 18 December. (Early papers
            will be graciously received. Late papers may be subjected to a one-letter-grade pen-
            alty. Papers more than one week late will not be accepted except in exceptional cir-
            cumstances.)

Grading:
            The two projects will be weighted equally, with an emphasis on the completed pa-
            pers, but with consideration of the classroom presentations. The final grade may be
            modified further on the basis of participation in class discussion.